NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

An undifferentiated Class II grade is awarded in some degrees. Very few formal preliminary programmes exist —
entrance is most commonly to the first year of the degree or diploma. In arts and science, a further specialisation will
usually take place after the first or second year, and frequently the student will take only one subject to Honours degree
level. In other faculties, the student can generally specialise after two or more years’ study, and a range of options is
available in areas such as
commerce and business studies.
Rules relating to repeating examinations will differ from college to
college, but in general, the student will be allowed at least one
opportunity to repeat an examination.
Provision has been made for the establishment of NCEA diplomas and certificates in continuing education, and for single
subject certification, a method of assessment and evaluation in single subjects, which provides a structure which allows parttime
students to study one or more subjects at a time, and receive national certification on successful completion of their
studies. It is now possible for part-time students to qualify for national certificate, diploma and degree awards through the
accumulation of single subject certificates.
For final examinations, and for many others, external examiners are used in addition to the staff of the university or college.